BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Baguio, the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR), the Liga ng mga Barangay-Baguio City Chapter, and Layad di Kordilyera, Inc. have renewed the lease agreement for the operation of the Cordillera Craft and Productivity Center (CCPC)-OTOP Philippines Hub. The contract extends Layad di Kordilyera’s management of the facility for two years, from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. The agreement was signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, DTI-CAR Regional Director Atty. Raymond Panhon, Liga ng mga Barangay-Baguio City Chapter President Rocky Aliping, and Layad di Kordilyera, Inc. President Helena Butigan. Located at the DPS Compound along Upper Session Road, the CCPC-OTOP Philippines Hub serves as a venue for showcasing and selling products made by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Baguio City and the Cordillera. The facility also promotes locally made handicrafts, artworks, and other products while providing space for product development, business consultancy, exhibitions, and training activities. Under the renewed lease, Layad di Kordilyera will pay a monthly rental of P30,000 during the first year and P33,000 during the second year. The organization is also responsible for paying utilities, maintaining the facility, ensuring its security, and submitting monthly operational reports. The Tripartite Committee, composed of the City Government of Baguio, DTI-CAR, and the Liga ng mga Barangay-Baguio City Chapter, will continue to oversee the operation of the hub through regular inspections and performance evaluations to ensure compliance with the agreement and the facility’s mission of promoting Cordillera and Baguio products. The renewal aims to sustain the CCPC-OTOP Philippines Hub as a key marketing and retail center that supports local entrepreneurs, artisans, and MSMEs while strengthening the promotion of Cordillera craftsmanship and culture. – Aileen P. Refuerzo          

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The ongoing dry run of the newly installed smart traffic signal lights in the central business district is aimed at collecting traffic data and fine-tuning the system before its full implementation. Management Information and Technology Division (MITD) Head Francis Camarao said the testing phase is necessary to gather accurate information on vehicle volume, traffic movement, and peak-hour patterns. The data will be used to properly calibrate the traffic signal timing and controllers. City Engineer Richard Lardizabal appealed for the public’s patience and understanding as the city completes the testing process. “We are aware of the impact of the experimentation on current traffic conditions, and we appeal to the public for understanding as we endeavor to make this technology work effectively,” Lardizabal said. He said the dry run will continue until the end of the month to collect sufficient and accurate traffic count data needed to properly program the system. After the initial testing period, another round of validation will be conducted before the city fully activates the sensor-based traffic signal and pedestrian controller system. The P10-million project covers the U-Shape Overpass, Y-Shape Overpass, and Lower Session Road near the Maharlika Livelihood Complex. It includes the installation of upgraded smart traffic signals that will eventually be integrated with the city’s Smart City Command Center for real-time traffic monitoring and management. The project also replaced aging and damaged traffic signal lights with new sensor-based units. Once fully operational, the system is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance pedestrian safety in one of Baguio City’s busiest areas. — Aileen P. Refuerzo

SM Supermalls, through its SM Job Fair, continues to partner with DICT to expand access to digital learning opportunities that help Filipinos become more competitive in an evolving workforce. BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – As industries continue to evolve in the digital age, having the right skills has become just as important as finding the right job. Reinforcing its commitment to empowering Filipino communities, SM Supermalls, through its SM Job Fair, partners with the Department of Information and Communications Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region (DICT-CAR) through its Information and Communications Technology Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (ILCDB) to provide free digital upskilling opportunities for jobseekers and fresh graduates. A DICT resource speaker discusses digital literacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies during the free training session, empowering participants with knowledge essential for today's digital economy. On July 18, 2026, aspiring professionals are invited to the FREE Information Session for Jobseekers and Fresh Graduates at SM City Baguio from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. The session aims to help participants become more competitive in today’s workforce by introducing practical digital competencies that are increasingly sought after by employers. Interactive discussions encourage participants to deepen their understanding of digital skills while learning directly from DICT experts during the training session. Participants will gain valuable insights on: Digital Literacy and Career Preparation for Fresh Graduates and Jobseekers Information Literacy and the eGovPH App Cybersecurity and Cyber Hygiene The session is open to jobseekers, fresh graduates, and individuals looking to strengthen their digital skills, with 100 slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. More than connecting Filipinos with employment opportunities, SM Job Fairs continue to evolve into a platform that promotes lifelong learning and career readiness. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies such as DICT-CAR, SM is expanding access to free learning opportunities that help prepare Filipinos for the demands of an increasingly digital economy. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies such as DICT-CAR, SM is expanding access to free learning opportunities that help prepare Filipinos for the demands of an increasingly digital economy. “Today’s workforce requires more than just job opportunities—it also requires continuous learning,” said Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing, SM Supermalls. “Through SM Job Fairs, we continue to create opportunities where Filipinos can not only connect with employers but also gain future-ready skills through meaningful partnerships with government agencies like DICT-CAR.” The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Information and Communications Technology Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (ILCDB) of DICT-CAR, which continues to champion digital literacy and workforce readiness by bringing accessible learning opportunities closer to communities. For many participants, the training provided opportunities that would otherwise have been difficult to access. “As a contractual employee, opportunities for specialized training are often limited, so I’m grateful that SM Job Fair and DICT made this program free and accessible. In today’s digital world, learning digital forensics and cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, and this training gave me practical knowledge that I can immediately apply in my work.” said Kahlil Brensy Servidad, a Senior IT Support Specialist from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The relevance of the training also resonated with professionals from other fields.   “As an accountant, I’m trained to identify anomalies in financial records, and I realized cybersecurity follows the same principle—recognizing unusual patterns in digital systems. This training helped connect my professional background with ICT, and holding it in a mall made learning much more accessible.” said Jose Giovanni G. Quitiongco, a Certified Public Accountant from the City Government of Pasig. Students also found value in learning directly from industry practitioners. “There are practical skills that aren’t always taught in school, so I joined this session to gain real-world knowledge and prepare for my future career. Learning directly from industry professionals gave me valuable insights that complement what we learn in the classroom.” said Resma Valerie Dela Cruz, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student majoring in Multimedia Arts at Informatics College Manila. The overwhelming response underscores the growing demand for accessible learning opportunities that prepare Filipinos for an increasingly digital workforce. By bringing together employment opportunities and free digital upskilling under one initiative, SM Job Fair continues to evolve into a platform that empowers communities through both career access and lifelong learning. Interested participants may register by scanning the QR code posted on the official SM City Baguio Facebook page. Early registration is encouraged as slots are limited. As SM continues to bring together employment opportunities and skills development under one roof, it remains committed to creating accessible pathways that empower Filipinos to grow, succeed, and prepare for the future.